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Hate-free chicken sandwiches

If you’re paying attention to Mike Huckabee, you know that today was Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.

Huckabee is pissed off that other people are pissed off about the poultry merchant’s homophobic positions. The chain has long been a supporter of anti-gay marriage efforts, and its CEO said recently that he is firm believer in biblically sanctioned unions. “He took it to a new level,” says Pat Davis of ProgressNow New Mexico.

Anyway, Huckabee wanted folks to flock to Chick-fil-As around the country today and fill the restaurant’s pockets with more money for doing anti-LGBTQ work.

ProgressNow New Mexico was ready. Cow couple Adam and Steve led a protest in front of Albuquerque’s latest addition to the Chick-fil-A franchise on San Mateo and Montgomery. They brought 100 free chicken sandwiches provided by the gay-friendly Roma Bakery & Deli. The protest fare was devoured in 20 minutes by supporters who showed up to stand alongside Albuquerque’s active LGBTQ community, says Davis.

Davis counted more than 100 people on the sidewalk at one point. A giant chicken showed up to march in solidarity with the cows. A new LGBTQ-friendly business—U-Swirl—brought some froyo over for the kids dancing with the protesters.

“We just wanted there to be an option for people in Albuquerque who don’t agree with that stance to express themselves,” Davis says.